ALOR SETAR, June 11 — The remains of 27 Rohingya migrants from Myanmar who perished in a boat sinking tragedy in the waters off Langkawi last year were finally laid to rest today in a solemn burial ceremony at the Kampung Tualang Muslim Cemetery in Pokok Sena, Kedah.
The burial marked the end of a lengthy process involving identification, forensic examinations and documentation carried out by various authorities following the tragic incident that claimed dozens of lives.
Kedah Police Chief, Datuk Adzli Abu Shah, said the management of the remains began at 10pm yesterday and was completed at 7am today. The deceased comprised 13 men and 14 women.
According to him, all remains were buried safely starting from 7.30am in a respectful and orderly manner in accordance with Islamic law. The burial process was conducted under the supervision of the Kedah Islamic Religious Council.
He said the operation involved close cooperation among several government agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police, hospitals, MAIK, the Kedah Islamic Religious Affairs Department, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, the Public Works Department and the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia.
Adzli expressed appreciation to all agencies and personnel involved for their commitment and cooperation in ensuring that the entire process was completed smoothly and respectfully.
The tragedy occurred last year when a group of migrants attempted to enter Malaysian waters illegally. Following the incident, all recovered bodies were sent to the Forensic Medicine Unit at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for identification, post-mortem examinations and forensic documentation.
Police investigations into the tragedy remain ongoing. Authorities are continuing to examine the cause of the incident, the route used by the migrants and the individuals or syndicates believed to be responsible for organising the smuggling operation.
The case is being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007. Police have urged members of the public who possess information related to migrant smuggling activities to come forward and assist investigations.
Adzli stressed that law enforcement agencies will continue strengthening surveillance and security controls in Malaysian waters to safeguard national security and sovereignty.
Media reports previously stated that between 290 and 300 undocumented migrants had travelled by ship from Myanmar before being transferred to a smaller boat near the Malaysia-Thailand border waters. The smaller vessel later sank, resulting in multiple casualties and one of the region’s most tragic migrant-related incidents in recent years.
The burial of the 27 victims closes a difficult chapter for the authorities and communities involved. While the victims have now been given a proper final resting place, investigations continue as authorities work to uncover the full circumstances behind the tragedy and bring those responsible for migrant smuggling activities to justice.
